15 Simple Fall Nail Designs That Are Far From Basic, From Brown Metallics to Striking Ombrés

With that in mind, we chatted with a few nail artists to determine the best simple fall nail designs. We found a selection of solid colors, French tips , velvet finishes , and dainty accents, all of which are perfect for autumn. Even better, to achieve these simple fall nail designs, you don't need to be an undercover professional manicurist. (You might need a few easy-to-use tools, though, like a dotting brush.) Ahead, find 15 simple ideas that are all but sure to wow anyone who takes a peek at your hands this fall. Nowadays, so many manicure ideas are incredibly intricate. Our feeds are forever flooded with 3D nail art , detailed designs, and tips so sharp and long that they almost feel like a hazard. As much as we love bold manicures with museum-worthy accents, we're also big fans of easy-to-recreate nail ideas that we can DIY, no advanced art studio degree necessary. 01 of 15 Brown Metallic @gelcare.official If you're looking for an elevated basic mani, this set features a brown metallic polish with a shimmery top coat that delivers the right amount of elegance and charm. 02 of 15 Blue and Brown Abstract @glamorous_nails_beckenham Simple doesn't have to mean boring. This nail artist pairs a dreamy blue shade with an abstract brown design, ultimately proving that a simple manicure still goes a long way. 03 of 15 Earthy Green @lolo.nailedit Green continues to be a recycled nail trend every season. For fall, lean into deeper green hues for a manicure that feels mysterious and moody. 04 of 15 Blonde Tortoise @lolo.nailedit Swap out the traditional warm brown shades for these blonde tortoiseshell nails instead. Set against a milky base, this manicure is paired with dark speckled details that prove blondes have more fun. 05 of 15 Berry Ombré @lolo.nailedit Who says you have to give up bright colors when fall rolls around? This manicure blends blue, pink, and red shades to create an eye-catching ombré that's guaranteed to earn you compliments. 06 of 15 Fall Polka Dots @claw.me.mine No matter the season, polka dots are always adorable. To recreate this pretty design, start by picking two autumnal polish colors that look great together. Paint the fingers on one hand with one of the polishes, and then the opposite hand with the other color. Once the polish is dry, use a dotting tool to add polka dots of the respective opposite color to each nail. 07 of 15 Autumn Smush Nails @paintboxnails Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann is a big fan of multicolor manicures for fall. 'Just choose your favorite fall shades,' she says, noting that you can polish a different solid coat of color on each nail or opt for a few. We especially like this autumn-toned smush nail art by the artists at Paintbox in New York City. To recreate it, place a drop of pumpkin, berry, olive, and dusty blue polish closely together on a paper plate. Dab a makeup sponge into the colors, then dab the sponge onto each nail until you achieve your desired look. Finish with a glossy top coat. Related Stories 23 Pink Ombré Nail Designs for a Fun Yet Simple Manicure 15 Ombré Nail Looks That Are Cozy, Simple, and Perfect for Fall 08 of 15 Classic French Tips @rachelsuenails A classic French manicure may feel too bright for fall, but Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June's mani trend expert and VP of content, says it's a timeless nail art idea for a reason. 'The classic sheer neutral and white French is the palette cleanser everyone is craving this year,' she says. 'It's always on trend and always feels like a breath of fresh air. It's the ideal mani to wear in between dark manis and so easy to achieve.' 09 of 15 Cranberry Nails @oliveandjune No time for nail art? With the right autumnal tone, even a simple solid manicure can look stunning. 'It's red nail season all year round, but for fall, the must-paint version of the shade is deeper berry,' Van Iderstine says. 'To make a perfect fall red even more fabulous, you can add some shimmer on top with a velvet-effect polish. This creates that super on-trend velvet effect that feels instantly cool.' 10 of 15 Dark Chocolate Glaze Nails @mynameisolive 'We know chocolate nails are one of the hottest nail trends…but it gets even better when you combine it with the glazed donut trend,' Van Iderstine says. To get the look, start with a chocolate brown base. Then, top it off with a white or champagne shimmer powder and top coat. To make it even easier on yourself, skip the powder and try using an iridescent shimmer top coat instead. 11 of 15 Glowing Orange Velvet Nails @tipsxtara Lean into the cozy, warm, nostalgic spirit of October with a shimmering orange velvet manicure. 'Velvet nails are a great option for a simple manicure that still has a touch of flair,' Hanna says. 'Nailing Hollywood artist Tara Haye took this mani to the next level by adding some small rhinestones that make it the perfect simple fall look for those who love a bit of sparkle.' 12 of 15 Midnight Mani @themaniclub If you don't have time for nail art, top off your navy or dark blue base with a high-shine shimmer top coat for an autumn-eve nail look. 'Darker shades in fall usually mean browns and maroons, but dark blue is the new stand-out moody shade of the season,' Van Iderstine says. 'Hailey Bieber was spotted in this shade most recently, and it's perfectly dark but still has that fun from the shimmer. It works on every nail length, and you can control the sparkle level by layering additional shimmer toppers as desired.' 13 of 15 Moody and Mystical Mani @disseynails Here's another example of how a smush technique can create stunning autumn nails. For this one, you'll want to use rich, moody tones like eggplant, rust, navy, and evergreen. Then, finish it off with ultra-fine gold glitter and a glossy top coat. 14 of 15 Pumpkin Spice Nails @disseynails In case you need further proof of just how magical velvet nails can look for fall, feast your eyes on this shimmering pumpkin spice stunner. 15 of 15 Sugar Shimmer Nails @mani.of.the.moment Instead of a sheer coat of neutral polish, consider adding a little glitter to the mix for a sweet everyday nail look. 'One of our favorite sources of trend inspo is the treats of the moment, and the holiday season is almost here,' says Van Iderstine. 'So we're looking to sugar treats—particularly sugar-dusted cookies and pies—and translating that to ultra-wearable soft shimmer nails that still work as well in the office as they do at a holiday party.'